Renaissance Molly

Tröegs

American Pale Ale

Pennsylvania

This ale is a golden/copper colored beer with a strong head and moderate carbonation. At first I was skeptical: I don't care for the harsh hoppy flavor of IPAs and, not knowing a lot about beers, the term Pale Ale ends to scare me off more than anything, so I typically avoid them. That to be said I was pleasantly surprised by Troegs Pale Ale. The harsh hop flavor did not dominate the taste but simply added a note of intrigue to an overall smooth, grainy taste. The body was on the fuller side of medium (which compliments well with a hoppy beer in my opinion) and it had a very nice balance. I would certainly recommend this beer.

8/10

Justin did not review this beer. In fact the picture was scraped from Total Wine's Website because I had the beer while we were doing the Ludum Dare and so he (needing every brain cell to program) did not have but a sip. The sip he had, though, was accompanied by a face of disgust and so I would submit that he did not care for it.

Saranac

Shandy

New York Shandy

This straw colored beer is very lightly carbonated and has a very light head. The lemon taste in this shandy is not overpowering. In fact, I would have prefered the lemon balance in this shandy to be more pronounced. The finish is unrefined and syrupy: I sensed a heavy texture linguring in my mouth when I was finished with my first few sips.

I've had Lienenkugel's summer shandy before and really enjoyed it. That to be said, I prefer Lienenkugel's: I feel like the balance of flavors really highlights a more appealing lemon taste with a touch of tart where the Saranac tastes a bit more fabricated.

6/10

The lemon scent of the beer will hit your nostrils before the taste of it does. While the smell wasn't a pleasing one, the taste of the beer will take away any aversion to the odor. The crisp taste will remind you of a lemon soda, and you'll find it hard to reconcile the fact you are drinking a beer. Molly and I usually taste beer warm to make sure we enjoy the flavor, this is a beer best served cold. I think it would be a brew best enjoyed at a picnic outside or with a leisure activity. Not the best lemon shandy beer I've had, but not the worst either.

Shock Top

Honey Bourbon Cask Wheat

American Pale Wheat Ale

This beer is basically just as you would expect. The first thing you experience is an explosion of flavors: honey first, followed by the smooth taste of bourbon. The aftertaste remains sweet however there is also a faint, woody flavor reminiscent of wood cask bourbon. This makes it feel almost gritty, but in a positive way. Very lightly carbonated and has a very slight head.

For my tastes, it was strong: I didn't much care for the overpowering taste of the bourbon. I have confidence that someone who likes bourbon would enjoy this beer. The subtle beer flavor is perfect for someone looking for a smooth, flavor packed beer. Overall, therefore, I give this a 7 of 10. Although I wouldn't drink it again, I recognize it as having a good balance of flavors between the honey and bourbon.

7 of 10

The first thing that hits your mouth is the sweet taste of honey, followed by a delicious tingling of bourbon. After the carbonation of the beer resolves in your mouth is when it reveals it's true flavor. The beer tries to be more adventerous than a traditional wheat beer and spices it up with the cask bourbon taste. It makes you feel your drink is much fancier than a beer and that you should probably smoke a cigar.

Overall the beer is solid, and reminds me of times when I've mixed whisky and beer. Would drink again 8.5/10 I would recommend this beer for anyone that is looking for some adventure and spice over a normal blue moon.